Posiva is an Expert Organisation in Nuclear Waste Management

Posiva Oy is an expert organisation responsible for the final
disposal of spent nuclear fuel of the owners. Posiva has been
established in 1995.

Why is copper a suitable material for final
disposal canisters?

Copper
endures the anoxic conditions deep inside the bedrock and will not corrode.
There have been findings in the natural environment of metallic copper which is
many millions of years old and it has retained good protective characteristics.

When will final disposal begin?

The final
disposal of spent nuclear fuel is intended to begin in 2022.

What is the current location of the spent
nuclear fuel?

At the
moment, the spent nuclear fuel is stored in water basins in interim storage
facilities at the Olkiluoto and Loviisa power plants. The water cools down the
fuel assemblies and provides protection against radiation.

What will be the total amount of spent fuel?

According
to existing plans, the Loviisa 1–2, Olkiluoto 1–2 and Olkiluoto 3 plant units
will produce electricity for 50–60 years. Production results in about 5,500
tonnes of spent fuel. In addition, the operation of the planned Olkiluoto 4 unit
for 60 years will increase the total amount of spent fuel up to 9,000 uranium tonnes.

How long will the final disposal of the spent
fuel take?

The final
disposal of spent fuel from the existing nuclear power plant units and the
Olkiluoto 3 unit currently under construction will take about 100 years.

Have the effects of permafrost and a possible
ice age been observed in planning the final disposal?

Yes. In the
past, ice ages have been regular events and they are expected to also occur in
the future. As a result, ice age conditions will be taken into account when
planning the final disposal. Posiva carries out research in Greenland in
permafrost conditions.

Posiva Oy and YIT Construction Ltd have today signed a contract on the excavation of the first tunnels for Posiva's final disposal facility. The value of the contract is about EUR 20 million, and the estimated employment resulting from the contract, including the subcontractors, is about 100 – 125 person years.

The Czech Radioactive Waste Repository Authority SÚRAO will procure knowhow, which is accumulated during Posiva's final disposal project, for the final disposal of radioactive waste in the Czech Republic. The four-year service contract is worth EUR 2.75 million.